What do you mean by a printer cable? Do you have autodetect enabled in the MIDI/Audio settings?

Most MIDI interfaces, if not all, nowadays use USB. I have a 2018 MBP so USB-C is everything, and my old MOTU FastLane interface just plugs right into a USB hub and my old Ensoniq KS-32 MIDI keyboard (from, like, 1992) is recognized and works just fine. Same with my M-Audio keystation that has its own internal MIDI interface and also connects to my Mac with USB. So it might be how your setup is interfacing with the MacBook Air. Could you post some screenshots of your setup from MIDI/Audio: Device Setup: MIDI/Internal Speaker Setup? Here's mine-I have autodetect enabled. What happens if you enable autodetect?

hi there- well 2 years later now from the last time you posted re answering question re midi etc..

I noticed that you have a Ensoniq-KS-32- I do too! And I am only now wanting to get set up to use a notation program (I let music go for a long while).

So here's my question: 

What is MBP? And if I understood correctly, I just need a USB-C cable to connect Ensoniq to Macbook Pro (onto which I download Finale?  )

This would help me out sooooo much. Also do you know if a notation program can print our pre recorded music from garage band if the music was originally recorded in voice memo?

Thank you kindly

Tanya

Hi. MBP = MacBook Pro. 

You need two audio out cables to run from the KS-32 to a USB MIDI interface and that plugs into the Mac via USB. I used to use the MOTU FASTLANE interface but after many years it’s drivers were no longer compatible with the OS. They are now, but I moved onto the very nice Mío midi interface. Works perfectly. Can’t comment on your last question as I’m not sure I’m understanding it. 

Also do you know if a notation program can print our pre recorded music from garage band if the music was originally recorded in voice memo?

No. The better question:

Can audio be converted to Notation?

Maybe. It all depends…

GarageBand cannot by itself but there are plug-ins to try that may be able to convert your audio to MIDI with varying degrees of success. Finale can then convert MIDI to notation, of course. Melodyne Studio 5 is the best plug-in I know for this — it also functions as a stand alone app. There are other versions of Melodyne, also. As far as I know, all are available with a 30 day trial.

https://shop.celemony.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CelemonyShop.woa 

1. 1) Download the Trial Version of Melodyne 5.

2. 2) Restart Garageband.

3. 3) Go down into the Plug-Ins And Choose “Celemony.”

4. 4) Open The Plug-In.

5. 5) Transfer the Recording Into Melodyne 5.

6. 6) Hit Play On The Project File in Garageband.

7. 7) Go Into Melodyne 5's Settings and choose “Save As MIDI”

Everything depends on how simple to complex the audio is. Do not get your hopes up.